Bowling will take his next step toward the goal of a Strikeforce welterweight title fight on Aug. 18 when he meets Tarec Saffiedine (12-3 MMA, 4-1 SF) at “Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman,” which takes place at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. The event’s main card airs live on Showtime; preliminary-card fights air on Showtime Extreme.

It’s the type of challenge Bowling has been hoping for. After a pair of short-notice knockout wins over Jerron Peoples this past December and Brandon Saling in March, Bowling is glad for a fight that will give him a full training camp – and a real test.

“I asked them for a reputable opponent – I want to fight somebody good,” Bowling said. “A couple guys, I’ve fought on late notice and it’s hard to get motivated for fights like that. But with Tarec, it’s easy to get motivated. I can’t wait to get in there with him.”

Like Bowling, Saffiedine will come into the August fight on a two-fight win streak – though his wins have gone the distance. The
Team Quest fighter, a regular training partner of top UFC light heavyweight contender and former Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson, has wins over Scott Smith and Tyler Stinson since a January 2011 loss to Tyron Woodley.

Bowling said he’s anxious for what he believes will be a fight that takes place on the feet against Saffiedine, a renowned kickboxer. And though he’d probably not turn down another quick finish against the Belgian, he also knows a longer scrap might be good for him in the long run.

“It was nice to get in and get out (against Saling) because I probably wasn’t in as best shape as I could’ve been if i’d have had a longer camp,” Bowling said. “I need later-round experience because that’s what I’m lacking in my MMA career – just rounds.”

The Ohio native recently helped UFC middleweight Rich Franklin prepare for his win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 147. He said having plenty of winning around him – including rising Bellator standout Daniel Straus – gives a good vibe.

And a win over Saffiedine would be the biggest win – and biggest good vibe – of his career. And that could set him on a path that would have him fighting for the 170-pound title. That belt is vacant, but will wind up around the waist of either Nate Marquardt or Woodley after they fight on July 14.

The thought of being around in the promotion to challenge for a title sounds great to Bowling – regardless of what some of his colleagues under the Strikeforce banner think about wanting to jump ship to the UFC.

MMAjunkie.com Radio broadcasts Monday-Friday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. The show is hosted by “Gorgeous” George Garcia, MMAjunkie.com lead staff reporter John Morgan and producer Brian “Goze” Garcia. For more information or to download past episodes, go to www.mmajunkie.com/radio.

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is probably the greatest female fighter on the planet, which is a tremendous feat. So why are we seemingly so obsessed with arguing about whether she could beat up men?